Hello! My wife and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary next year and she has made it clear she deserves a trip to Tuscany after being married to me that long. Who I am to argue. She is a teacher, so we can only go in mid-March or early to mid June. Thoughts from experienced travelers to the region on which time of the year will be best? We plan on spending a few days in Florence, but most of the time exploring the wineries and small villages in the country. Will be there approximately 8 days. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Posted by
Irving
3132 posts
Back in 2005, I went to Tuscany in March and packed for winter and had to shop for spring clothes. My sister bought a rain coat for the trip and never wore it. Here’s a link that that I share when someone asks your question: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/best-time-to-go-to-tuscany.
Posted by
Paris
10028 posts
Oh I would go early June in a heartbeat.
Happy anniversary !
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15838 posts
Early June hands down.
March has iffy weather, often a bit cold and/or rainy, and short daylight hours (Europe switches to daylight savings on the last Sunday of March). March is ok if you stay in cities (Florence, Rome, etc.) as there are lots of things to do indoors if the weather in not good, and museums have shorter lines (hotel and airfares are lower too), but if you intend to spend significant time in the countryside (wineries, small rural villages), you need to go later in the spring, and early June is great (warm but generally not too hot, long daylight).
Posted by
4772 posts
early June, all day long!
Posted by
Portland
3635 posts
Some 1st hand experience with Tuscany in March. A friend once rented a villa and invited us to join her. The morning we landed at FCO the temp was 32 F. Later in the day it reached a high of 40. Fortunately, the villa had central heating, because the first few days were really chilly, especially at night. We met up in Siena one day with some friends whose daughter was studying there. She told us that it had snowed the week before. March in Tuscany is too iffy.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4554 posts
As a retired teacher, spring break isn't long enough. In June, your trip will mostly be limited by your vacation time and your finances(unless both are so high that you run into the 90 day Schengen limits lol) And since you live in Texas, I doubt the temps in Tuscany will be an issue for you. Not that I think it's that hot in Tuscany in June.